Islam Makhachev eyes next contenders

Islam Makhachev is the recently crowned UFC welterweight champion, and helium faces a play afloat of challenges and opportunities. The welterweight part is present afloat of talented fighters, galore of whom person looked awesome successful caller matches, which further complicates the occupation of UFC matchmakers.

Ian Garry and Michael Morales presently basal retired arsenic the astir apt candidates to situation Makhachev. The experienced Irishman easy defeated Belal Muhammad, a erstwhile welterweight champion, showing that helium tin grip top-tier wrestlers.

Morales, an undefeated fighter, dominated Sean Brady a fewer days ago, who was considered by galore to beryllium the champion grappler successful the division. Ilia Topuria is besides successful the game, having openly said that helium is acceptable to effort to determination up to welterweight to look Makhachev, portion Islam himself would gladly judge a combat against Kamaru Usman, 1 of the top successful the past of the division.

Next challengers

"Yes, a lucifer against Garry would beryllium interesting. He's a bully fighter, connected a winning streak and young. I judge we would enactment connected an absorbing match. He didn't astonishment maine with his show past weekend. If helium amazed the UFC, possibly he'll beryllium the adjacent challenger," Makhachev told Ushatayka.

Shavkat Rahmonov, an undefeated Kazakh, is presently successful the background. He's fought 19 MMA matches truthful acold and won them all, finishing 18 of his opponents earlier the bell. Only Garry has gone to a decision, and helium mislaid by unanimous decision.

What's presently keeping Shavkat successful the inheritance is his inactivity; helium hasn't fought since December of past twelvemonth owed to a superior genu injury. Some sources accidental helium could instrumentality successful aboriginal 2026, but helium surely won't combat successful 2025 and volition astir apt request 1 "warm-up" match.

“Shavkat hasn’t fought for a year. A challenger can’t beryllium retired for a twelvemonth and instantly onslaught the belt. But if helium recovers successfully and the UFC decides he’s next, wherefore not?” Makhachev added.

The champion is intelligibly acceptable and unfastened to each options, portion the last determination connected the challenger remains with the UFC.